I was in my local pet store last night (the one that I dont fully trust) and I was looking at some 120 an 150 gallon tanks. I noted to my wife that they did not have holes drilled for a sump in them, at which point the manager, who was walking by, said Oh thats not a problem, get them drilled after the fact.
That set off alarm bells in my head, because I am sure that I have seen on this forum or in talking to people that you cannot drill holes in a tank for a sump after the fact.
So my question is, can you drill holes for a sump in a tank after the fact, or will you end up cracking the glass or having all sorts of other problems. And as a follow up question, if you do not have holes for a sump in your tank, is it still possible to use a sump, by having tubes come into your tank over the side.
You can drill holes in the tank after the fact. Don't do it under the water line however :P People don't advise it though as you are going to be dumping a lot of broken down glass into the tank. If you are to drill it ideally do it before it has water.
The reason people say you will crack it is now you are going to be drilling horizontally and potentially not applying even pressure to the glass. This can cause it to crack.
Can it be done? - Yes.
Should you do it? - No.
Also to add to the last reply, I would never risk a siphon overflow to a sump. Too many possible issues. It would cause me stress to know catastrophe is possible. There are ways to help prevent the problems, but none of them are fool proof. I mean no matter what there can always be something in this hobby that could be catastrophic, but this is just asking for trouble IMO.
I don't really understand the issue here though. What do you mean after the fact. I think the manager meant you can take it home and drill it before water is added. I am not seeing how the tank in the store not having holes means you can't drill it until after water is added. They almost always sell tanks without holes drilled. You get it done after you buy it, or you do it yourself at home before water is added.
this may be me but if you are gonna drill a tank would you not want to drill it before you fill it? And as long as the tank is not tempered you can drill it, but you will void the manufacturer warranty
^I would never drill while full...
Make sure you know which panels are tempered. Bottom panels of tanks are often tempered, and if you try to drill these they will shatter. Figure out where you want your holes drilled then determine the tank you need. Also make sure whoever drills the tank knows what they are doing! (Or get a predrilled one).
To add to this it is always best to have multiple overflows. Each single one should be able to tank the full flow so if only 1 is left your tank won't overflow.
I have most the tanks in my house drilled as I have a DIY drip water change system. Redundancy is key to not having a flood. I would never trust a syphon type overflow either. There are some that are better then others and use a power head to help with retaining there prime and remove bubbles that get trapped in them. Remember nothing if fool proof.
When my sump form my 195 was drilled I have guy come over. Shutdown the sump temporarily , had it drill cleaned it and got it running again quickly.
Bruce
some of the sponsors on here will drill your tank for a small fee. The right hole saw bit is required to drill for yourself